Elderly wrong-way driver collides with CT state police cruiser on Route 8
State police are warning residents to monitor loved ones who may have visual or physical impairments that would affect their driving after an elderly wrong-way driver collided with a state police cruiser on Route 8 in Waterbury on Tuesday.
At 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, troopers received reports of a vehicle driving the wrong way in the left lane on Route 8 North near Exit 36, according to Connecticut State Police.
A trooper who was working at a nearby construction project responded to the area, where he spotted the Toyota Prius headed the wrong way. The Toyota then collided with the front end of the state police cruiser.
State police said the driver, an elderly man, appeared to be “disoriented” and was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation. The trooper was not injured in the crash, according to state police.
“Troopers remind residents that they may want to evaluate the driving capabilities of loved ones in poor physical health, showing signs of physical impairment or demonstrating slow reaction times,” state police said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Residents are encouraged to, if possible, personally observe older family members behind the wheel to determine if they should maintain a driver’s license or if a medical evaluation of their driving capabilities is warranted,” state police added.
The man was issued an infraction for driving the wrong way on a divided highway, according to state police.